THE TODD SQUAD
METS ALREADY FEEL LIKE HOME TO FRAZIER
PORT ST. LUCIE — The first order of business was to make sure there was a Mets flag in front of the Frazier Florida home that is a short drive from the Mets complex at First Data Field.
Charlie Frazier’s longtime buddies Joe Guagliardo and Don Johansen took care of that piece of business, especially since there is a Yankees fan down the street with his own flag.
The friends first met when their children played Little League baseball together. The three friends, whose families share the vacation home, made their way to camp Tuesday to watch Charlie’s kid, Todd, practice with his new team.
Yes, the Yankees were great for the Toms River Little League hero, but life in pinstripes proved to be a stopover. With the Mets, Todd Frazier really is home.
“When I saw my dad I gave him a big hug,’’ Todd told The Post on Tuesday. “My dad has always been a part of my career. He’s got a couple of buddies with him now, he’s trying to teach them the ropes a little bit and I know he enjoys that. I just saw an ex-high school coach here, too. He lives two miles from the ballpark. There’s going to be some characters out here, it will be good.
“Away we go, now it’s baseball time.’’
Baseball time is the only time the Frazier family really knows. Brothers Jeff and Charlie were outfielders, with Jeff making it to the majors with the Tigers in 2010 while Charlie played six years in the Marlins organization.
“This means everything,’’ Todd said of being a Met. “It’s like everything fell into place. My parents have a place out here. My brother Charlie’s wife is from Port St. Lucie, my brother Jeff grew up a Mets fan. It’s close to home. I’m glad this is where I’m at and overall the pieces are set.’’
Now it’s time for Todd to ramp up the Mets defense at third base, get some big hits and help Mickey Callaway’s team get off to a fresh start after signing that two-year, $17 million free-agent deal.
“I’ll bring the energy,’’ Todd said. “We’ve got the emotion on this team. I’m just going to bring an- other element of hustle, attitude, the willingness to work and just try to get the best out of these guys day in and day out. No days off. We have leaders on this team, I don’t want to step on anybody’s toes, but also I’m not afraid to do it, either. I’m just trying to be who I am and that leadership quality will probably just come out.
“The Yankees are in the past, I liked playing with them, but I’m a Met and I really like the camaraderie on this team. I like the way we’re going, a whole bunch of new guys’’
Charlie Frazier is thrilled. He stays in the background, always has, even when Todd was leading Toms River East American to the Little League World Series title in 1998, Charlie stayed out of the spotlight, often seeking refuge behind the outfield fence to watch games.
“It’s a family affair,’’ Todd said of being a Met. Todd and his wife, Jacquelyn, have two children, so there will be three generations of Fraziers at First Data Field. Special times.
“Spring training is my favorite part of baseball,’’ Charlie said. “I enjoy walking around, watching them bunt, watching them do fielding, watching batting practice. I was up like 6:30 this morning, I usually don’t get up until eight.’’
The Little League World Series, the Yankees and the Mets, that’s a pretty good trifecta for a Jersey family, not to mention Todd’s time with the Reds and White Sox.
“We’re all family guys,’’ Charlie said of his friends Don and Joe. “Baseball is all about kids, grandkids. Todd has already received some great positive support from the players here, he knows he is home for at least two years and that puts him at ease.’’
Noted Don Johansen, “Charlie is probably the happiest I’ve ever seen him.’’
Added Joe Guagliardo, “I hung out with Charlie every day before Todd signed, and I said, ‘How cool would it be if he signed with the Mets. He’s close, he’s home. It would be perfect.’ ’’
Home again.